gracielanef's review against another edition

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5.0

I absolutely loved Finding the Mother Tree. Suzanne manages to tell a beautiful tale about uncovering the secrets of the forest in detailed scientific examples, while still telling a story of a woman in a man’s world, a mother trying to protect her children, and a woman surviving cancer. It is a beautiful autobiography that made me feel at peace and one with the spirit of Earth all around me. So so so much love.

williamsocnwld's review against another edition

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5.0

So beautiful. I had heard about the Mother Tree and World Wide Fungal Web that supports entire communities of trees from other lecturers, TED Talks and books but I’m so glad going to the source, this book, in particular, was recommended by a friend. It was worth every word-a beautiful story, well told. I can’t wait to learn more!

melissarochelle's review against another edition

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4.0

This book affirms my belief that nature is far more "alive" than humans can even comprehend. Our concept of living is confounding. For me, Nature IS God and not in some organized religion or school of thought way, it is just a knowing. Watching a seed sprout, flowers bloom, storms forming, rain falling, trees breathing, people thinking - this planet that we live on and all the life it holds - it is simply incredible and awesome. I don't need a book written by men to explain to me who God is, God is all around me.

Finding the Mother Tree is a beautiful examination of a career spent trying to convince foresters (and the capitalists they are these days) that the forest is a community of trees that grows healthier and stronger when allowed to grow as a community. I loved it and am thankful for Simard's career - some professions could use more women!

sueivany's review against another edition

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4.0

I understood in some vague way that trees communicated with one another, living in a kind of symbiotic relationship with all growing, living things in the forest. Simard’s book has brought all of that into focus and so much more. At a few points, the descriptions of her studies became a bit dense for me to work through, but I persevered and I’m so glad I did! I enjoyed her personal story being woven into the book as well. Highly recommend this one.

lillygabriella's review against another edition

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informative reflective slow-paced

3.0

Had trouble keeping my attention with the jumps from subject to family stuff. Very poetic outlook and writing style.

twofacedbitch's review against another edition

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3.0

i think i will need to read this again. i wish there was a better mix between memoir and nature and scientific . mix isn't the right word exactly. a bit of a slog this first time round but still highly interesting

jennifertlrc's review against another edition

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3.0

The findings in her research were amazing and transformative in the way we view nature and the ability it has to heal itself. Her experiences as a female scientist were dismal yet she was persistent in fighting the male dominated establishment. I liked the blend of personal with the scientific although I felt a little overwhelmed with all of the scientific details.

sequoia1024's review against another edition

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5.0

Partly personal history, partly research history -- how our understanding about forest ecoloy, relationship between trees changed. Very calming and intriguing read.

In the process of reading, an idea may arise, which would just be confirmed by the author later -- for example, reading the intricate system of the underground fungi, I couldn't help but think: this sounds eerily like nervous system -- only found the author making the same point several chapters later! Reading about the Mother Trees, my mind jumped to the movie Avatar, a scene in which the Big Tree seems to be transferring light/spirit/whatever -- which I found a bit comical when I saw the movie -- and later the author mentioned that scene was inspired by her research! Minor coincidences like this made me smile.

We know so little. About nature, other species, ourselves. If only we could proceed with caution, respect and humbleness -- maybe we still can save us from ourselves.

jsj's review against another edition

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4.0

Fascinating topic. The writing style. Broken into sentence fragments. Is very distracting. Making it harder to understand. What the author it trying to convey.

traveltounravel's review against another edition

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"Plants are attuned to one another's strengths and weaknesses, elegantly giving and taking to attain exquisite balance. There is grace in complexity, in actions cohering, in sum totals."